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Spyware / Malware / Virus Removal

PC has become RIDICULOUSLY slow, even after I doubled wireless speed&#

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Post #76
Here's the Hijackthis log: Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.4 Scan saved at 10:23:50 PM, on 6/30/2013 Platform: Windows XP SP3 (WinNT 5.01.2600) MSIE: Internet Explorer v8.00 (8.00.6001.18702) Boot mode: Normal Running processes: C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe C:\Program Files\Broadcom\ASFIPMon\AsfIpMon.exe C:\WINDOWS\system32\cisvc.exe C:\WINDOWS\system32\dllhost.exe C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe C:\Program Files\Dell\QuickSet\NICCONFIGSVC.exe C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe C:\WINDOWS\system32\tlntsvr.exe C:\WINDOWS\system32\wbem\wmiapsrv.exe C:\WINDOWS\system32\cidaemon.exe C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE C:\WINDOWS\system32\igfxpers.exe C:\Program Files\Intel\WiFi\bin\ZCfgSvc.exe C:\WINDOWS\system32\igfxsrvc.exe C:\Program Files\DellTPad\Apoint.exe C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe C:\Program Files\Google\GoogleToolbarNotifier\GoogleToolbarNotifier.exe C:\Program Files\DellTPad\ApMsgFwd.exe C:\Program Files\DellTPad\HidFind.exe C:\Program Files\DellTPad\Apntex.exe C:\WINDOWS\system32\wbem\unsecapp.exe C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE C:\WINDOWS\system32\taskmgr.exe C:\Program Files\hijackthis\HijackThis.exe O2 - BHO: Google Toolbar Helper - {AA58ED58-01DD-4d91-8333-CF10577473F7} - C:\Program Files\Google\Google Toolbar\GoogleToolbar_32.dll O3 - Toolbar: Google Toolbar - {2318C2B1-4965-11d4-9B18-009027A5CD4F} - C:\Program Files\Google\Google Toolbar\GoogleToolbar_32.dll O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Persistence] C:\WINDOWS\system32\igfxpers.exe O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [IntelZeroConfig] "C:\Program Files\Intel\WiFi\bin\ZCfgSvc.exe" O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Apoint] C:\Program Files\DellTPad\Apoint.exe O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ctfmon.exe] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [swg] "C:\Program Files\Google\GoogleToolbarNotifier\GoogleToolbarNotifier.exe" O17 - HKLM\System\CCS\Services\Tcpip\Parameters: Domain = HiddenHills.org O17 - HKLM\Software\..\Telephony: DomainName = HiddenHills.org O17 - HKLM\System\CS1\Services\Tcpip\Parameters: Domain = HiddenHills.org O23 - Service: Adobe Flash Player Update Service (AdobeFlashPlayerUpdateSvc) - Adobe Systems Incorporated - C:\WINDOWS\system32\Macromed\Flash\FlashPlayerUpdateService.exe O23 - Service: Broadcom ASF IP Monitor (ASFIPmon) - Broadcom Corporation - C:\Program Files\Broadcom\ASFIPMon\AsfIpMon.exe O23 - Service: Google Update Service (gupdate) (gupdate) - Google Inc. - C:\Program Files\Google\Update\GoogleUpdate.exe O23 - Service: Google Update Service (gupdatem) (gupdatem) - Google Inc. - C:\Program Files\Google\Update\GoogleUpdate.exe O23 - Service: Google Software Updater (gusvc) - Google - C:\Program Files\Google\Common\Google Updater\GoogleUpdaterService.exe O23 - Service: Java Quick Starter (JavaQuickStarterService) - Oracle Corporation - C:\Program Files\Java\jre7\bin\jqs.exe O23 - Service: NICCONFIGSVC - Dell Inc. - C:\Program Files\Dell\QuickSet\NICCONFIGSVC.exe O23 - Service: Remote Packet Capture Protocol v.0 (experimental) (rpcapd) - CACE Technologies, Inc. - C:\Program Files\WinPcap\rpcapd.exe – End of file - 3383 bytes
Post #77
Hi shannon ;)

IT APPEARS THAT YOUR LOGS ARE NOW CLEAN :) SO LETS DO A COUPLE OF THINGS TO WRAP THIS UP!! :)

This infection appears to have been cleaned, but I can not give you any absolute guarantees. As a precaution, I would go ahead and change all of your passwords as this is especially important after an infection.



Unistall AdwCleaner

  • Double click on adwcleaner.exe to run the tool.
  • Click on Uninstall.
  • Confirm with yes.

Clean up with OTL:
  • Double-click OTL.exe to start the program.
  • Close all other programs apart from OTL as this step will require a reboot
  • On the OTL main screen, press the CLEANUP button
  • Say Yes to the prompt and then allow the program to reboot your computer.

Java is very easily exploited these days and it's a good idea to disable Java in the browser

Please read here


Any of the logs that you created for use in the forums or remaining tools that have not yet been removed can be deleted so they aren't cluttering up your desktop.

MOST IMPORTANT: You Need to Update Windows and IE to get all the Latest Security Patches to protect your computer from the malware that is around on the internet.

Here are some tips to reduce the potential for spyware infection in the future:

1. Make your Internet Explorer more secure - This can be done by following these simple instructions:
  • From within Internet Explorer click on the Tools menu and then click on Options.
  • Click once on the Security tab
  • Click once on the Internet icon so it becomes highlighted.
  • Click once on the Custom Level button.
  • Change the Download signed ActiveX controls to Prompt
  • Change the Download unsigned ActiveX controls to Disable
  • Change the Initialize and script ActiveX controls not marked as safe to Disable
  • Change the Installation of desktop items to Prompt
  • Change the Launching programs and files in an IFRAME to Prompt
  • Change the Navigate sub-frames across different domains to Prompt
  • When all these settings have been made, click on the OK button.
  • If it prompts you as to whether or not you want to save the settings, press the Yes button.
  • Next press the Apply button and then the OK to exit the Internet Properties page.
Make your Mozilla Firefox more secure - This can be done by adding these add-ons:

2. Enable Protected Mode in Internet Explorer. This helps Windows Vista users stay more protected from attack by running Internet Explorer with restricted privileges as well as reducing the ability to write, alter or destroy data on your system or install malicious code. To make sure this is running follow these steps:
  • Open Internet Explorer
  • Click on Tools > Internet Options
  • Press Security tab
  • Select Internet zone then place check next to Enable Protected Mode if not already done
  • Do the same for Local Intranet, Trusted Sites and Restricted Sites and then press Apply
  • Restart Internet Explorer and in the bottom right corner of your screen you will see Protected Mode: On showing you it is enabled.

3. Use and update an anti-virus software - I can not overemphasize the need for you to use and update your anti-virus application on a regular basis. With the ever increasing number of new variants of malware arriving on the scene daily, you become very susceptible to an attack without updated protection.

4. Firewall
Using a third-party firewall will allow you to give/deny access for applications that want to go online. Without a firewall your computer is susceptible to being hacked and taken over. Simply using a firewall in its default configuration can lower your risk greatly. A tutorial on firewalls can be found here. **There are firewalls listed in this tutorial that could be downloaded and used but I would personally only recommend using one of the following two below:
Online Armor Free
Agnitum Outpost Firewall Free


5.SPYWARE PREVENTION
This is a good time to set up protection against further attacks. In light of your recent problem, I'm sure you'd like to avoid any future infections. Please read these well written articles:
6. Consider a custom hosts file such as MVPS HOSTS. This custom hosts file effectively blocks a wide range of unwanted ads, banners, 3rd party Cookies, 3rd party page counters, web bugs, and many hijackers. For information on how to download and install, please read this tutorial by WinHelp2002
Note: Be sure to follow the instructions to disable the DNS Client service before installing a custom hosts file.

7. WOT (Web of Trust) As "Googling" is such an integral part of internet life, this free browser add on warns you about risky websites that try to scam visitors, deliver malware or send spam. It is especially helpful when browsing or searching in unfamiliar territory. WOT's color-coded icons show you ratings for 21 million websites, helping you avoid the dangerous sites. WOT has an add-on available for Firefox, Internet Explorer as well as Google Chrome.

8.Finally, I strongly recommend that you read TonyKlein's good advice So how did I get infected in the first place?

Please reply to this thread once more if you are satisfied so that we can mark the problem as resolved.
Post #78
Thank you so much for your patience and assistance. I am out of town right now but will take care of these last steps as soon as possibe.

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